Rivalry Renewed, Geneva Out Lasts Westminster

Beaver Falls, PA - For the 110th time Geneva College and Westminster College hooked up in one of the most recognizable rivalries in Western Pennsylvania. Playing for the first time in six years, Geneva outlasted Westminster by the score of 37-14 to move its record to 2-1. With the loss, Westminster also leaves Saturday boasting a 2-1 early season mark.

It was anything but an offensive showcase for the Golden Tornadoes on Saturday afternoon in New Wilmington. However, it was Geneva′s defense and special teams that stole the show and provided the bulk of the offense for the Golden Tornadoes. The stat sheet following the game showed Westminster out gaining Geneva 309-174, but what it didn′t show was three blocked kicks that led directly to Geneva points.

Geneva opened the scoring on a Nick DePietro 26 yard field goal that was set up by a bad snap on Westminster′s first possession of the game. The Golden Tornadoes then took advantage of a blocked punt late in the first quarter when Brian Wilson scooped up the ball and rumbled 35 yards to give Geneva a 10-0 lead.

The defense of Geneva then took center stage when Richard Kolesar picked off a Kevin Franz pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown to extend Geneva′s lead to 17-0 with 9:30 to play in the second quarter. Geneva′s offense did get churning late in the first half and a Matt Dean five yard score capped a 14 play, 63 yard drive that gave Geneva a 23-0 lead heading into the halftime locker room.

Kevin Franz and Brett Ziegler hooked up for a pair of second half touchdown passes of 25 and 74 yards to account for Westminster′s points, while Bondi plunged in from three yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter. One play later, it was again Geneva′s defense in the name of Bradley Roman that found the end zone on a 34 yard interception return for a touchdown.

Franz threw for 320 yards on 26-39, but did have a pair of fateful interceptions returned for scores. Geneva′s defense did stifle the Titans running attack by holding Westminster to -25 yards on 27 carries. For Geneva, Bondi threw for 103 yards on 7-17 and one interception.

Geneva will finish the season with six out of seven home games beginning with the home opener next Saturday against Bethany. It will be the first time Geneva and Bethany hook up since the 1983 season.